OBJECTIVE: ST2, a member of the interleukin-1 receptor family, is selectively expressed on Th2 cells and mediates important Th2 functions. IL-33 is a specific ligand of ST2. The aim of the study was to determine whether serum levels of soluble ST2 (sST2) or IL-33 predict activity of the disease in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV). METHODS: 139 AAV patients and 62 controls were studied. IL-33 and sST2 in the blood were measured with a commercially available ELISA. RESULTS: Newly diagnosed AAV patients had higher sST2 levels than controls (P < 0.01). Levels of sST2 were significantly higher in active newly diagnosed AAV patients than in patients with remission (P < 0.001). IL-33 levels were higher in AAV patients than in the control groups (P = 0.002). However, serum IL-33 levels were not increased in patients with active AAV compared to patients in remission. IL-33 levels were higher in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis than in patients with microscopic polyangiitis (P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Serum sST2, but not serum IL-33, may be a marker of activity in AAV patients.

Department of Nephrology General University Hospital and 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University 121 08 Prague Czech Republic

Department of Nephrology General University Hospital and 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University 121 08 Prague Czech Republic ; Institute of Immunology and Microbiology General University Hospital and 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University 121 08 Prague Czech Republic

Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension University of Colorado Denver Aurora CO 800 45 USA

Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics General University Hospital and 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University 121 08 Prague Czech Republic

Statistical Unit Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine 140 21 Prague Czech Republic

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